Shield Round 2

…come away with me, where the grass grows wild and the wind blows free.

A hardy bunch of MUAC athletes returned to the wide open spaces of Epping for Round 2 of AV Shield at Meadowglen on Saturday 20th of October.  A fine balance, poised between the rain of the previous week and the baking sun of December, gave athletes pleasant conditions in which to compete.  Taking full advantage was Kath Iannello, renowned Pole Vaulter, performing impressively in the absence of her preferred event.  Across 4 events, she claimed three Division 1 places, with 1st in the Shot Put (8.92m), 2nd in the Hammer Throw (21.76m) and 3rd in the High Jump.  A 200m topped off the session, lest anyone think that it was an easy day.
Jarrod Pageot, fresh off a winter of work in the gym, took 2nd in the 200m (23.48) and 2nd in the High Jump (1.85m).  Once he returns to his favoured event, long jumpers around Victoria have reason to be worried.  The evergreen Grant Morgan came down out of the hills of Hurstbridge to claim 2nd in the 3000m (9:04) and show that he’s set for a big summer.  Sarah James also took 2nd in the 3000m (10:02), shaded only by Australian XC silver medallist Sinead Diver.  MUAC Summer Manager Mitch McKenzie claimed a win in the Open Triple Jump (12.96m) and will soon trade the horizontal for the vertical in his preferred High Jump.
The White Train crosses the Maribyrnong for Round 3 of AV Shield at Newport on Saturday, October 27th.